Ephesians 1:6 (ESV) … “to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”
Praise means celebrating God. Undoubtedly you have seen, and probably participated in, celebrations like Fourth of July fireworks displays and Memorial Day parades. The purpose of such festivities is not simply to set off firecrackers and Roman candles or to watch graying veterans march down city streets. The events are held to remember and honor the sacrifices of men and women who went before and paid the price for freedom. As Christians, our lives are living tributes to God’s grace. God selected us as believers so that we might praise him. When others look at our lives, what kinds of “tributes” do they see? Liberated, engaging individuals, full of gratitude for all he has done for us? Or shrivelled, sullen, embittered shells that feel as though we’ve been cheated out of life’s good things? Let your prayer life and worship express your gratitude to God.
Barton, B. B., & Comfort, P. W. (1996). Ephesians (p. 16). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.